And why does my website need one?
If you're not in the web world, terms like “WordPress Maintenance Plan” “plugins,” and “maintenance plan” can sound a little abstract.
You might think, “My site looks fine. Isn’t that enough?” At JI Design, we build every website using WordPress—and we offer ongoing support with our WordPress Maintenance Plan to keep it working exactly how it should.
But we also believe in transparency. So let’s walk you through what WordPress actually is, why we use it, how your website is built, and why regular maintenance isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
This isn’t a technical deep dive. It’s the big picture, explained simply.
So... why WordPress?
Almost half of all websites use WordPress... and for good reasons!
According to W3Techs, as of August 21, 2025, WordPress powers 43.3% of all websites on the internet. That means nearly 1 in every 2 websites is built with WordPress—even when counting sites that don’t use a content management system at all.
- It’s powerful and proven. WordPress is fast, stable, and flexible. It’s a tool we trust—and our clients can count on.
- It grows with you. Need e-commerce? Event bookings? Online courses? WordPress can scale.
- It’s yours. You’re not locked into a proprietary system. Your site is 100% yours.
- It’s client-friendly. You can update content without knowing code—and we’ll show you how.
We could code from scratch.
Yes, we know how to write raw code: HTML, CSS, JavaScript—you name it.
And we do use that knowledge all the time.
But we don’t build websites entirely from scratch anymore. We work inside the WordPress framework—and we customize it heavily when needed.
Why? Because it’s simply the smartest choice for most of our clients.
Here's what that means for you.
- Faster development, lower cost. We’re not reinventing the wheel—we’re building better wheels, faster.
- Full control and customization. Your site doesn’t look like anyone else’s. We write custom code when we need it to make it yours.
- Room to grow. WordPress makes it easy to scale your site without needing a total rebuild.
What are plugins?
Think of WordPress as the house frame. Plugins are the features inside—the plumbing, the lighting, the smart locks.
A plugin is a modular tool that adds functionality to your site. For example:
- Contact forms
- Booking calendars
- E-commerce and product filters
- Photo galleries
- Membership systems
We select, install, and configure only the plugins you actually need—and when something doesn’t exist? We code it ourselves.
We also maintain a developer license for premium tools like Elementor Pro, which lets us build beautiful, custom layouts without bloated code or clunky templates.
What does a WordPress maintenance plan include?
Once your site is live, it’s not “done.” Websites are living tools—and they need regular care.
At JI Design, our WordPress Maintenance Plan is built to protect your site, keep things running smoothly, and free you up to focus on your business. All plans include the essentials—and you can choose additional support based on what your website needs.
What’s included?
✅ Monthly updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins (done safely, not blindly)
✅ Daily off-site backups so your site can be restored quickly if anything goes wrong
✅ Daily security scans for malware, vulnerabilities, and suspicious activity
✅ Performance optimization, including database cleanup and site speed monitoring
✅ Uptime monitoring so we’re alerted if your site ever goes down
✅ SMTP email setup to ensure form submissions actually reach your inbox
✅ Premium plugin licensing, including Elementor Pro and other developer tools
✅ Domain and hosting support when you host with us
✅ Privacy policy setup via Termageddon (included for hosted clients)
✅ Monthly maintenance reports so you know exactly what’s been done
Depending on your plan, you can also add:
➕ Monthly support time for content updates, plugin troubleshooting, or tech fixes
➕ On-page SEO management, including keyword checks, metadata updates, and performance tweaks
Not sure what level of care your site needs? We’ll help you choose the right plan based on where you are—and where you’re headed.
Can't I just manage my site myself?
Technically? Sure.
Practically? It’s a lot.
If you’re managing your own site, here’s what that really looks like:
- Logging in weekly to check for updates
- Knowing which updates are safe—and which could break your site
- Running backups and security scans—daily, not just when you remember
- Troubleshooting conflicts when plugins stop playing nice
- Managing SMTP email delivery so your contact forms actually reach you
- Paying for and maintaining your plugin licenses
- Restoring your site manually if something crashes or gets hacked
- Keeping your privacy policy compliant with ever-changing regulations
- Paying for hosting, domain renewals, off-site backups, and more
And that’s just the start.
When you add up the tools you’d need to pay for separately, it adds up fast:
- A premium backup system
- SMTP email delivery (so your forms don’t go to spam)
- A privacy policy generator like Termageddon (to stay compliant)
- Premium plugin licenses like Elementor Pro
- Domain registration and web hosting
All together, you’re easily looking at $50–$100 per month in software alone—not including your time or the cost of a mistake.
Why not just use something cheaper?
Fair question.
There are plenty of platforms out there that promise to be “easy” and “all-in-one”—Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, Shopify, Showit.
And honestly? They’re great for what they are. We’ve even recommended them to people with ultra-basic needs or ultra-tight budgets.
But if you’re here, you’re probably looking for more than just a template.
We choose WordPress every time because it gives our clients:
✅ Ownership and Flexibility
You fully own your website. You’re not locked into a monthly subscription just to keep it online. You can host it anywhere and move it whenever you want.
✅ Scalability
Want to add a booking system? Membership portal? Custom gallery? SEO tools? A store? With WordPress, you can evolve your site as your business grows—without starting over.
✅ Total Design Freedom
We’re not limited to drag-and-drop templates. Your site is designed for your brand, your audience, and your goals—from layout to functionality.
✅ Better Long-Term ROI
Sure, other platforms might seem cheaper upfront. But they often charge monthly for features you’ll never use, restrict customization, or force you to pay more to “unlock” basic tools. WordPress gives us professional-grade tools (many under developer licenses) without bloated monthly fees or restrictions.
✅ More Control, Less Bloat
Your site should load quickly, rank well on search engines, and work on every screen size. With WordPress, we control all of that. With template platforms? You’re stuck with whatever comes baked in.
Let us handle it so you can run your business.
Your website is a tool.
An employee that works 24/7. A storefront that never closes. It should be working hard for you—not becoming a headache behind the scenes.
That’s why we offer our maintenance plan. So you can show up, focus on your work, and know your website is always secure, up-to-date, and running smoothly.
If you’re already a client and you’re not on our most current plan—let’s get you set up »
If we haven’t worked together yet—we’d love to chat about your project »
The bottom line.
We don’t build websites to be trendy. We build them to work—and last.
WordPress is the best platform for serious small businesses who want a high-performing site, long-term flexibility, and room to grow.
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